Dam retaining dental band assembly

ABSTRACT

An elongate resilient dental band that may be disposed to form a tensioned loop that encircles a patient&#39;&#39;s tooth, and when so situated have an apertured pliable sheet guided downwardly thereover to contact the gingival, and the sheet acting as a dam to isolate the banded tooth to maintain the latter in a dry condition. An elongate appliance is provided that is operatively associated with the band, with the appliance serving a twofold purpose, first to apply a desired degree of tension to the band to maintain it in an encircling position about a tooth, and secondly, to act as a guide to permit an apertured dam to be slid longitudinally therealong, and then downwardly over the banded tooth to engage the gingival of the patient. The band is provided with dam-retaining means that permit downward movement of the dam thereover, but which engage the portion of the dam adjacent the band to prevent the dam being inadvertently dislodged from the tooth by an upward force being exerted thereon by the patient&#39;&#39;s tongue.

United States Patent Brenner 1151 2 ,638,315 Feb. 1,1972

[54] DAM RETAINING DENTAL BAND ASSEMBLY 1. Edward Brenner, 800 West Amerige Ave., Fullerton, Calif. 93732 [22] Filed: Nov. 3, 1970 [21] Appl.No.: 86,397

[72] Inventor:

2,722,746 11/1955 Brenner ..32/63 Primary Examiner-Robert Peshock Altomey--William C. Babcock [5 7] ABSTRACT An elongate resilient dental band that may be disposed to form a tensioned loop that encircles a patients tooth, and when so situated have an apertured pliable sheet guided downwardly thereover to contact the gingival, and the sheet acting as a dam to isolate the banded tooth to maintain the latter in a dry condition. An elongate appliance is provided that is operatively associated with the band, with the appliance serving a twofold purpose, first to'apply a desired degree of tension to the band to maintain it in an encircling position about a tooth, and secondly, to act as a guide to permit an apertured dam to be slid longitudinally therealong, and then downwardly over the banded tooth to engage the gingival of the patient. The band is provided with dam-retaining means that permit downward movement of the dam thel'eover, but which engage the portion of the dam adjacent the band to prevent the dam being inadvertently dislodged from the tooth by an upward force being exerted thereon by the patient's tongue.

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flrramve DAM RETAINING DENTALBAND ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention Dam-retaining dental band assembly.

Description of the Prior Art In the past, a pliable rubber dam has been maintained in a tooth-isolating position by the use of a clamp that serves that purpose, but is adapted for use on but a specific tooth in a patients mouth. As a result, a dentist is required to maintain a substantial inventory of such clamps. The maintaining of such an inventory is not only a substantial expense, but is time-consuming, in that, the particular clamp for a particular tooth has to be selected by the dentist prior to a dam being placed on a tooth in a tooth-isolating position. Furthermore, such clamps have been found to be uncomfortable to certain patents, as well as failing to hold the dam in a tooth-isolating position.

The primary purpose in devising the present invention is to supply a dam-retaining dental band assembly that will substantially overcome the operational disadvantages of prior devices used for holding a dam in a tooth-isolating position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A dental band that may be formed into a loopto encircle a desired tooth in a patients mouth when the band is operatively associated with an elongate appliance, which appliance permits a desired degree of tension to be placed on the tooth-encircling band. The appliance serves a twofold purpose, first, permitting a desired degree of tension to be placed on .the looped portion of the band, and secondly, serving as an elongate guide along which an apertured pliable sheet may be moved to slip down over the banded toothto act as a dam to isolate the banded tooth from the oral cavity from which it is disposed. By this means, the banded tooth is maintained in a dry position to permit dental work to be performedthereon. The looped portion of the band has means mounted thereon that permit the apertured dam .to be slipped downwardly thereover, but which engage the portionof the dam adjacent the band when the dam is attemptedto be moved upwardly by contact of a patients tongue therewith.

A major object of the present invention is to supply a dental band of simplified structure that has' dam-engaging means mounted thereon, and the band capable of being easily and removably mounted in a tooth-encircling position by the use of a manually operable appliance that extends outwardly from the band when the band is in a tooth-encircling position.

Another object of the invention is to supply an improved band that is of such configuration that when tightened on a molar or bicuspid the band conforms substantially to the ex terior surface thereof.

A further object of the invention is to furnish a dental band and elongate manually operated appliance for use therewith, which band and appliance mutually cooperate to tension the band into a tooth-encircling position, and the band when so tensioned serving to hold the appliance in an upwardly extending position relative to the banded tooth whereby an apertured dam may be slid longitudinally along the appliance and downwardly over the banded tooth to isolate the latter from the oral cavity in which it is positioned.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a damretaining dental band that is of one-piece structure, is tough and resistant to cracking when bent or deformed, with the Another object of the invention is to supply a dental band that is less expensive to manufacture than previously available bands, and one that is so visually identified that it will only be placed on a tooth in a correct encircling position.

A still further object of the invention is to supply a dental band and an elongate appliance for removably mounting the same in a tooth-encircling position, with both the band and the appliance being identified by like insignias to assure correct positioning of the band on atooth, and by being so identified save a doctors time in positioning the device on a tooth.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish a dental band and appliance for mounting the same on a patient's tooth, in which the positioning of the band is manually controlled by a single rotatable element, and the band when disposed on a patients tooth being relatively comfortable, inasmuchas there are no projecting or moving parts in the patients mouth, and the patient suffering little or no discomforture when the appliance and band serve as a guide to have an apertured dam placed in a tooth-isolating position about the banded tooth.

A further object of the invention is to supply a dental band that is formed solely by a cutting and .a rolling operation and may be used either as a matrix or dam retainer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side-elevational view of a dam-retaining dental band removably disposed in a combined dam guide and exerting appliance;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the band and appliance shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of the appliance shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the appliance taken on the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a front-elevational view of a dam-retaining dental band, prior to the band beingplaced in a looped configuration;

FIG. 6is a side-elevational view of the band shown in FIG. 5 after the latter has been placed in a looped configuration;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the forward portion of the appliance, and with a forward rod portion thereof being inserted through transversely aligned openings formed in a looped band;

FIG. 8 is the same top plan view as shown in FIG. 7, but after thelooped band has been removably mounted on the rod that forms a portion of the appliance;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a portion of apatients mouth, with the dam-retaining band encircling one of the teeth therein, and an apertured rubber dam being guided longitudinally along the appliance prior to the dam being slid downwardly over the banded tooth to isolate the latter from the oral cavity in which it is positioned;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the banded tooth and appliance, and with the dam encircling the banded tooth;

FIG. 11 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the band extending around a tooth, and illustrating a retainer on the band that prevents inadvertent displacement of the dam from the tooth by upward movement of a patients tongue;

FIG. 12 is a side-elevational view of the dam retainer on a band, and illustrating the manner in which it prevents upward movement of the dam relative to a patients tooth.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a thin cold-rolled steel blank used in forming-one of the bands, with the grain of the steel running longitudinally relative to the band;

FIG. 14 illustrates a first step in forming the retaining band, in which the center portion of the blank shown in FIG. 13 is cross rolled by a pressurized roller to thin said portion;

FIG. 15 illustrates a second step in the forming ofa band, in which the laterally spaced blades stamp or cut the blank to the configuration shown in FIG. 16;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the third stop in forming the blank to a dental band, in which the end portions have openings formed therein by two longitudinally spaced downwardly moving punches; and

FIG. 17 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-sectional view of the dental band taken on the line l7 17 of FIG. 14 illustrating the relative thickness of the cross rolled portion thereof to the end tabs in which the openings are formed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A band A is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 that may be used to retain an apertured dam B on a tooth C as illustrated in FIG. 10. The band A is disposed in tension exerting contact with the tooth C by an elongate appliance or member D illustrated in FIGS. I to 4 inclusive, which member serves the additional function of providing a guide along which the darn may be slid longitudinally as shown in FIG. 9 and downwardly thereafter to the tooth-encircling position as illustrated in FIG. 10.

The band A when tensioned and in the tooth-engaging position shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 serves to so removably support the member D that it extends outwardly relative to the oral cavity E of the patients mouth as illustrated in FIG. 10. The member D as may best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4 includes an elongate cover F that is preferably of noncircular transverse cross section and includes at least one longitudinally extending flat surface 10. In the form of the member shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cover F includes two oppositely disposed flat surfaces 10.

The cover F is preferably formed from a metal, such as steel or the like, and includes a flat rearward end surface I2. A forward end portion 14 of the cover F is defined by two forwardly and inwardly extending upper and lower portions 16 and 18 respectively, that are separated by longitudinally extending groves 20. The cover F has a longitudinally extending barrel G situated within the confines thereof, which barrel has two forwardly extending laterally spaced portions 22 that have flat exterior faces 22a that are aligned with the longitudinally extending edges of the cover portions 16 and 18. The forward edges 22b of the barrel portions 22 extend downwardly and forwardly at a slight angle as may best be seen in FIG. 1.

The barrel portions 22 have a longitudinally extending space 24 situated therebetween, which space is in communication with a bore 26 that extends the length of the barrel G. The rearward end 28 of the barrel G is transversely aligned with the rearward edges 12 of the cover F.

A rod H is slidably supported for longitudinal movement in the barrel G, with the rod having an intermediately positioned threaded portion 30 that extends rearwardly from the barrel G as shown in FIG. 3 and may be engaged by an elongate nut J. The nut J when rotated in an appropriate direction may be disengaged from the threads 30 and moved rearwardly onto a nonthreaded rearward portion 32 of the rod H, but is prevented from being inadvertently displaced therefrom due to the portion 32 terminating in a protuberance 34 slightly larger than the threaded bore 36 that extends longitudinally through the nut .I.

The rod H has a bifurcated forward end portion 38 best seen in FIG. 7, and a slot 40 being formed in the rod rearwardly of the bifurcated portion. A slot 42 defined by the bifurcated portion 38 and the slot 40 extends transversely in the same direction relative to rod H as may best be seen in FIG. 7.

The band A best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6 is preferably formed from thin cold-rolled sheet steel in which the grain structure is longitudinally aligned with the band.

The band A includes two end portions 44 that have an intermediate band portion 46 of substantially less thickness extending therebetween. The portion 46 is defined by two angularly disposed segments 46a which at their junction define an apex 46b. The thickness of the intermediate portion 46 is such that it may be disposed in the form of a loop as shown in FIG. 2 and when so formed may be extended around a tooth C as illustrated in FIG. 9'. The band A is placed in the looped configuration to encircle a tooth C, by extending the bifurcated rod portion 42 through two transversely aligned openings 48 formed in the end portions 44 of the band A. By moving the end portions 44 of the bands relative to the bifurcated rod portions 42, the band may be removably supported on the forward portions of the rod H as shown in FIG. 8. When the elongate member D has been used to position a band A around a tooth C as illustrated in FIG. 9, the apertured dam B, which dam is a pliable thin sheet material formed from rubber or the like, may be guided longitudinally along the member and slid downwardly over a banded tooth C to occupy the position shown in FIG. l0. The aperture 45 in the dam is of substantially less transverse cross section than that of the tooth C around which it is to be extended, in order that the elasticity of the material defining the dam will assure tight contact of the dam with the tooth.

A dam retaining member L is mounted on the forward surface of the band A, preferably in alignment with the junction 46!), and the dam retainer being in the form of a vertically extending tube 50 as shown in FIGS. 11 and [2 that has a transverse groove 52 of V-shaped configuration formed in the lower portion 54 thereof. The groove 52 serves to define two protuberance 56 and 58 in the lower portion of the tube 50, which protuberances when the portion 60 of the dam B adjacent the tooth C is attempted to be moved upwardly, due to the motion of a patients tongue (not shown), frictionally engages the dam by biting thereinto. The retainer L prevents inadvertent upward movement of the portion of the dam B adjacent to the toothC around which the band A extends. The band A as shown in FIG. 5 is preferably formed from an elongate blank A' illustrated in FIG. I3, that is rectangular in shape, and is defined by relatively thin cold-rolled steel, in which the grain structure of the steel extends longitudinally relative to the blank A to obtain maximum strength in the band A when formed, as well as to permit flexing and bending of the band without the band cracking or otherwise suffering permanent damage thereto.

The center portion of blank A is subject to the compressive action of one or more rollers M as shown in FIG. 14, which rollers are of lesser length than that of the blank. The upper roller M has a substantial downward force M-l exerted therefrom and as the roller M rolls the center portion of the blank A, the intermediate portion 46 is formed, which intermediate portion is of substantially less thickness than the end portions 44. Due to the cross rolling of the blank A by the roller M, the intermediate portion 46 is of substantially greater width than the end portions 44.

Two laterally spaced knives or cutting members N are provided as shown in FIG. 15, which members have the upper end portions thereof connected by a rigid web 62. The web 62 through rigid rods 64 connected thereto can exert sufficient force on the knives N to shape the blank A into the bank A as illustrated in FIG. 16. Punches 68 are then employed to form the openings 48 in the end portions 44, with the forming of the band A then being complete.

The band A is then used in conjunction with the combined guide member and tension-exerting device D to position one of the bandsA in an encircling position on a tooth C as shown in FIG. 9, and the apertured dam B then being moved longitudinally along the member D to the tooth-isolating position illustrated in FIG. 10. Both the band A and the lower forward portion of the barrel G have dots or other insignia formed or imprinted thereon, to indicate that this portion of the band and member D must be adjacently disposed to the gingival in the patients mouth.

Due to the tapered form of the thinned portion 46, the band when in tension engagement with the tooth C, will extend downwardly and inwardly to conform to the exterior surface thereof. To remove the dam B from the tooth C, the nut J is rotated in an appropriate direction to free the looped band A from pressure contact with the tooth C, with the band and the appliance D then being separated from the tooth. The dam B may now be easily disengaged from the tooth C by moving the dam upwardly relative to the latter. Separation of the lopped band A from the appliance D is extremely simple. The nut J is rotated in a direction to permit it to be moved rearwardly to a position adjacent the protuberance 34. Cover F and barrel G may now be slid outwardly on the rod H to a position where the end portions 44 are forwardly disposed relative to the barrel G, and by pivotal movement of the rod H relative to the end portions 44, the former may be easily disengaged from the looped band.

The dam retainer L may be secured to the band A by tack welding or the like, either by the manufacturer of the band, or the dentist. Thus, if desired the dentist may purchase the bands A and dam retainers L as separate items and carry out the assembly thereof.

The surfaces 220 and the exterior end surfaces of the band A when the band is in the form of a loop carry insignias 70 thereon as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The insignias 70 on band A must be longitudinally aligned with those on surfaces 22a to correctly position the band in the tensioning assembly.

Iclaim:

1. In combination witha pliable sheet dental dam and an elongate rigid assembly that removably engages free end portions of an elongate resilient band that permits said band to be extended transversely around a tooth in a loop-defining position, said assembly by manual manipulation loosening or tightening said loop on said tooth, said band when tightened on said tooth supporting said assembly in an outwardly extending position therefrom to permit said dam when an opening is formed therein to be slid longitudinally along said assembly and downwardly over said band and tooth to isolate a portion of said tooth from the gingival and other lower teeth in the patients mouth, said band being characterized by:

a. a rigid elongate member transversely positioned on said band that permits said dam to be slipped downwardly over said tooth and band with a first force, said member having at least one protuberance on the lowermost end thereof that bites into said dam when said dam is attempted to be moved upwardly on said tooth by movement of a patient's tongue, and said dam when said protuberance is in biting engagement therewith requiring a substantially greater force to displace it upwardly from said tooth than was required to slide it downwardly over said tooth and band.

2. A resilient band as defined in claim I in which said member is a small diameter tube.

3. A resilient band as defined in claim 2 in which a transverse groove extends across the lower portion of said tube to define said protuberance.

4. A resilient band as defined in claim I in which said member is located substantially midpoint between the free ends of said band.

5. A resilient band as defined in claim I in which said band is defined by two angularly disposed elongate sections that define an apex at their junction, and said member being located substantially at said junction. 

1. In combination with a pliable sheet dental dam and an elongate rigid assembly that removably engages free end portions of an elongate resilient band that permits said band to be extended transversely around a tooth in a loop-defining position, said assembly by manual manipulation loosening or tightening said loop on said tooth, said band when tightened on said tooth supporting said assembly in an outwardly extending position therefrom to permit said dam when an opening is formed therein to be slid longitudinally along said assembly and downwardly over said band and tooth to isolate a portion of said tooth from the gingival and other lower teeth in the patient''s mouth, said band being characterized by: a. a rigid elongate member transversely positioned on said band that permits said dam to be slipped downwardly over said tooth and band with a first force, said member having at least one protuberance on the lowermost end thereof that bites into said dam when said dam is attempted to be moved upwardly on said tooth by movement of a patient''s tongue, and said dam when said protuberance is in biting engagement therewith requiring a substantially greater force to displace it upwardly from said tooth than was required to slide it downwardly over said tooth and band.
 2. A resilient band as defined in claim 1 in which said membeR is a small diameter tube.
 3. A resilient band as defined in claim 2 in which a transverse groove extends across the lower portion of said tube to define said protuberance.
 4. A resilient band as defined in claim 1 in which said member is located substantially midpoint between the free ends of said band.
 5. A resilient band as defined in claim 1 in which said band is defined by two angularly disposed elongate sections that define an apex at their junction, and said member being located substantially at said junction. 